Post by greentongue on Dec 15, 2010 18:56:25 GMT -6
As the men reached the barracks, a youth in blue hurried to open the door for them. Just inside a man in uniform greeted them.
"Hello, I am Lobi hi Satara," he said with a slight bow.
"I heard you were new without being new. If you know what I mean. Also heard one of you is of my lineage."
"Wanted to see if I could help out a cousin," he said. "Maybe show you around."
Haikon raised an eyebrow, along with a quirky smile. "Greetings, cousin. I'm Haikon hi Satara, and this is my friend and companion, Karlo hi Choldo. What do you say, Karlo? Shall we give this man the opportunity to put two travellers in his debt?" Haikon looked enthusiastic at this turn of events.
Karlo's face brighten at this too. "If the debt includes a round of beer, it is one I will gladly pay!
At the mention of drinks Lobi too was enthusiastic. "It's still early and we can get a good seat in the Hall of Bountiful Refreshment. I can introduce you to Girigashna hi Warangal. Ol' Two Cups always has the best drinks."
"There might even be meat for all tonight what with the Ghar being killed. I heard its meat has a strong flavor but it will be a welcome change even so."
"I get so tired of fish porridge and it will take a blessing from the goddess, for me to rise to a position that deserves better."
"Aye, it is unusual for one to rise above one's birth station," said Haikon.
"We accept the skein the weavers craft for us. Nothing wrong with giving the cords a little tug now and then, though," he said casually. "Lead on good Lobi, we'll be certain to follow."
Karlo clapped both on the back. "Indeed, let us take turns toasting each others fortunes."
With a wave to some other men standing and sitting further back in the Hall of Military Preparedness, Lobi lead his new friends out and across the village. There was a flurry of activity around the carcass of the Ghar as it was being butchered. Being the month of Shapru, there was no telling how soon the next storm would start.
The Hall of Bountiful Refreshment was not completely empty. The rows of daises had a scattering of patrons. There were the usual levels available. Low daises with thin pads, low daises with thicker pads, slightly higher daises with pads, and obviously higher daises with pads. There was even a high and fancy dais in the rear near the stage for when a noble felt like drinking in public. Standing screens were positioned strategically to give some privacy while allowing access for the servers. They could be moved for when entertainment was available.
Not waiting for a servant to lead them to a seat, Lobi led the way to a dais off to the left of the entrance. It was a low dais with thin pads that was screened on three sides and offered some privacy. No sooner had they sat then a servant appeared asking how he could be of service. Remembering Karlo's preference and wanting to honor his guests, Lobi requested beers be brought.
"Everyone has been wondering. What happened to you? Where have you been all this time?" asked Lobi.
Karlo sat back and took a long pull from his beer. Setting down his mug, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
"Where have we been?," he said. "I'm still not so sure of what's going on. Perhaps we have not been anywhere."
The young warrior frowned and took another drink from his mug.
Haikon nodded emphatically. "We noticed nothing. To us we weren't anywhere different. If we were spirited away somewhere, we have no memory of it." He looked disturbed, then took a long pull on his drink too.
"Well you look like you've been out of touch. Nobody dresses in that fashion anymore," remarked Lobi with a knowing grin. "We need to get you both to a taylor and a barber. Don't want people to think that we are completely out of touch just because we live on the coast."
After taking a drink Lobi asked, "Has Serqu given you your assignments yet? Two more on the warehouse would give us all fewer hours on duty. I'm off until tomorrow but it wouldn't look good for you to show up drunk your first day back."
"I sure wouldn't want to get on Iron Knuckles Serqu's bad side."
Looking at the other patrons, Haikon said "No, Serqu hasn't given us assignments yet. But you make a good point, we shouldn't get drunk tonight. Right, Karlo?" He winked.
"And hey, what's wrong with our clothes? And our hair?" He grumbled a bit, taking another swallow and looking at the crowd again. "Doesn't look so good on them, does it?" He proded Karlo with an elbow.
Karlo grunts sullenly into his beer. "Why would we change our clothes and hair? We'll get back to our own people eventually."
"Why should you change way they look? They certainly mark you as out of touch with the current fashion," said Lobi. "If you don't intend to fit in, I guess it doesn't matter," he added after Karlo's comment. He got a distressed look on his face as he thought about what they had said. "Since I've never heard of anyone that has gone through time, I'd not expect you to be able to go back."
Lobi's normally bubbly personality soon returned.
"True, I don't know all that is possible. But, I wouldn't let it stop me for getting on with my life. After all you still have family, like me, even if you don't know them."
"In fact things have gotten a lot better over the years. Now we have the Turning Wheel clan doing our transport for us. We have been selected to supply food for the Imperial forces and our villages stretch along most of the coast. Back in your time the White Stone clan was putting a lot of pressure on us and undercutting our markets."
"Not any more," he added emphatically.
Karlo drained his beer and looked mournfully into his mug.
"I'm still not sure I buy this time travel stuff. We were struck by lightening, next thing we know, we're here. I don't know how long we were out, but it sure wasn't 112 years. Maybe we lost our way and came to the wrong village. Maybe my family is dead, maybe they're waiting for me. I don't know what to think anymore."
With that he slid back on the dais, rose, and stormed out of the building.
Watching Karlo leave, Lobi showed a look of concern. "I think your friend isn't taking this experience well."
"You seem to be more accepting of your skein. Maybe you should go speak with him," he suggested.
With another swig from his mug he added, "We can always drink again later. Maybe then you will be free to drink more."
Karlo headed towards the place where is father's farm was.
As he walked along the beach the afternoon sun shown on the surf. It was still raging from the recent storm but not so much as to hide the shape of the stone. Karlo vaguely recognized the shore line though it had obviously been worn by the action of the waves over the years. There were many more houses than he remembered as well. Some though well maintained were showing their age. He remembered when they had been built, at least when the core of the now sprawling complexes were built.
Lines of glass buoys were sitting by boat houses waiting to be attached to ropes. Nets were hanging partially made with people mending and added to them. The fishing boats were being pulled to shore and crowds were gathering to unload the catch. Everywhere was the bustle of people.
The spaces between compounds were fewer and narrower than he remembered. Though there were some small areas of tilled land, it was obvious that most people made their livings from the sea or its related crafts. It looked that they made a good living from all the signs.
Haikon caught up to his friend, slowing down and walking beside him. He, too, eyed the village with some trepidation, ill at ease with its disturbing differences.
"This would all be easier if we were in some foreign land, among the Redhats, say," said the young man quietly. "Then we'd know we weren't home, and there wouldn't be any of this haunting familiarity."
He walked on, looking at the sunset longingly. "I think, maybe, we would be better off accepting what the elders tell us for now. They may not be the elders we knew, but they deserve respect in any case." He risked a glance at Karlo's face, but learned nothing.
The two walk on without speaking for a time. Then Haikon said "The gods are beyond us. Perhaps you and I are singled out for some task. Maybe we will be returned home when it is completed. But I think we have to hold our peace for now, and see what is required of us."
Then he clapped Karlo on the shoulder. "Come, be a good soldier. Let's go face what our new leader has to offer us, shall we? Perhaps we will guard a harem of concubines!" He smiled his young man's smile.
Karlo, stopped and turned to his friend.
"It's not that simple," he said. "Things like this don't happen. I keep thinking there must be an explanation. That I'll wake up and it was a dream. But I don't." He turned and looked out across the sea, hiding the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Of course I respect the elders. But to believe something like this? It borders on madness. And what of my family? Everyone I know is gone. I was to be married." The young man drew in a deep breath, and turned to face Haikon.
"Come. Let us go and hope to find forgetfulness in business."
Returning to the Hall of Military Preparedness they were once again greeted by the youth at the door. He bowed slightly and quickly opened the door for them. After the breeze of the shore, the stuffiness of the barracks was more noticeable. Since it was Sahpru (the middle of the spring rainy season) the humidity made it feel hotter then the cool eighties it was.
Asking an attendant at the entrance where to find Serqu, they were directed to the quieter rear of the building. The building was shaped like a long rectangle separated into three sections. It had a long open courtyard in the front, where individual training took place, with the troops rooms forming the sides. A small shrine to Karakan and Chegarra occupied the right front quarter. Its scarlet adding a splash of bright color. A waiting room was on the left. The back half of the building was divided into two sections. The left section for the supplies and servants. The right for the officer's quarters.
Most of the doors to the troops rooms were open. As they passed they saw people glancing their way. Each room contained bunks for four people. In the central area a couple of men were practicing with training weapons. Here and there were small clusters of men engaged in games of chance. Outside of each room were weapon racks containing the men's weapons. They saw their own room in the front and that it now contained fresh linens.
Entering the short hallway that divided the officer's rooms they were again greeted by an attendant. This man was well dressed and barred their path until they had stated their business. He checking the status the meshqu plaque outside of Serqu hi Enoinn's quarters. It was The Badge of Solemn Contemplation (green with red stripes, meaning come in / relax). Determining that visitors were welcome, he directed a nearby attendant to usher them to the door. The attendant rattled the door knocker and announced them to the servant that opened the door.
Serqu was reclined on several rugs laying over the bare wood floor. There were small short tables placed around and a lamp burning brightly on the wall above him. There were banners, painting, and weapons mounted on the walls. The rugs were large and stacked on top of each other. There were smaller rugs of excellent quality off to one side. He had been reading a book when they arrived and was sitting on the middle layer with several pillows behind him. He laid the book on a nearby table with several others and a stack of papers.
Serqu greeted them and bade the servant to bring them drinks. Motioning the men to join him, he indicated a nearby layer of lower rug for them to sit on. After some small talk on how they felt about being back, he broached the subject on his mind.
They were in a unique position. While their loyalty to the clan was without question, they were also unfettered by personal obligations. Serqu had a task that could only be done by such a person. If they were interested. If they wished to mix back into the normal clan life instead, that could be expected and was acceptable. He could always use more skilled soldiers.
Karlo took a polite sip from his drink.
"Sir, you are most generous to entrust a task to such as us. But I must ask, what reason do you have to trust us? We have been here but a short time, and are unproven. Forgive me, sir, but there certainly must be more than meets the eye."
Serqu indicated a small nearby table with aged papers and an old book. "The clan historians are very through and have recorded your previous service. Thumis worshipers are of some slight use after all," he stated with a grin and the disdain of a professional warrior.
Karlo indicated the documents, "May I?"
Haikon's face grew pale, and he stared with morbid fascination at the indicated volume.
With a twinkle in his eye Serqu carefully passed one of the documents to Karlo.
With a shaking hand, Karlo accepted the paper, as he scanned it, his face turned white, for it had been one of the proudest days in his life. He let the paper fall to the floor, and buried his face in his hands.
The document was ornate with colorful decorations embellishing the edges. The writing was in Tsolyani and Karlo had recognized his name in several places upon it. At the bottom was the place he had used his identity signet to stamp his sign onto the paper. Though he couldn't actually read the writing, having never been trained as a priest or administrator, he did remember making the mark. It had been a high point of his life. The document indicated that he had been excepted into the clan's border patrol. A preferred position for some, considered more dangerous then the normal guard duty by others.
After a moment he looked up, "Forgive me, sir. I am yours to command."
The servant quickly restored the dropped paper to its previous position. After glancing at Haikon to judge his reaction, Serqu said to Karlo, "I understand this must be difficult for you. I remember in the past returning to villages during war time and finding everyone I knew gone on the path to the Isles of Excellent Dead."
"You still have family. You still have the clan. You are young, and your destiny is before you."
With the sound of age and his own history in his voice he continued, "We must go on, we must follow the skein of destiny that has been woven for us."
"We are ready to do so, at your command sir." Haikon bowed appropriately for his station.
"Hello, I am Lobi hi Satara," he said with a slight bow.
"I heard you were new without being new. If you know what I mean. Also heard one of you is of my lineage."
"Wanted to see if I could help out a cousin," he said. "Maybe show you around."
Haikon raised an eyebrow, along with a quirky smile. "Greetings, cousin. I'm Haikon hi Satara, and this is my friend and companion, Karlo hi Choldo. What do you say, Karlo? Shall we give this man the opportunity to put two travellers in his debt?" Haikon looked enthusiastic at this turn of events.
Karlo's face brighten at this too. "If the debt includes a round of beer, it is one I will gladly pay!
At the mention of drinks Lobi too was enthusiastic. "It's still early and we can get a good seat in the Hall of Bountiful Refreshment. I can introduce you to Girigashna hi Warangal. Ol' Two Cups always has the best drinks."
"There might even be meat for all tonight what with the Ghar being killed. I heard its meat has a strong flavor but it will be a welcome change even so."
"I get so tired of fish porridge and it will take a blessing from the goddess, for me to rise to a position that deserves better."
"Aye, it is unusual for one to rise above one's birth station," said Haikon.
"We accept the skein the weavers craft for us. Nothing wrong with giving the cords a little tug now and then, though," he said casually. "Lead on good Lobi, we'll be certain to follow."
Karlo clapped both on the back. "Indeed, let us take turns toasting each others fortunes."
With a wave to some other men standing and sitting further back in the Hall of Military Preparedness, Lobi lead his new friends out and across the village. There was a flurry of activity around the carcass of the Ghar as it was being butchered. Being the month of Shapru, there was no telling how soon the next storm would start.
The Hall of Bountiful Refreshment was not completely empty. The rows of daises had a scattering of patrons. There were the usual levels available. Low daises with thin pads, low daises with thicker pads, slightly higher daises with pads, and obviously higher daises with pads. There was even a high and fancy dais in the rear near the stage for when a noble felt like drinking in public. Standing screens were positioned strategically to give some privacy while allowing access for the servers. They could be moved for when entertainment was available.
Not waiting for a servant to lead them to a seat, Lobi led the way to a dais off to the left of the entrance. It was a low dais with thin pads that was screened on three sides and offered some privacy. No sooner had they sat then a servant appeared asking how he could be of service. Remembering Karlo's preference and wanting to honor his guests, Lobi requested beers be brought.
"Everyone has been wondering. What happened to you? Where have you been all this time?" asked Lobi.
Karlo sat back and took a long pull from his beer. Setting down his mug, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
"Where have we been?," he said. "I'm still not so sure of what's going on. Perhaps we have not been anywhere."
The young warrior frowned and took another drink from his mug.
Haikon nodded emphatically. "We noticed nothing. To us we weren't anywhere different. If we were spirited away somewhere, we have no memory of it." He looked disturbed, then took a long pull on his drink too.
"Well you look like you've been out of touch. Nobody dresses in that fashion anymore," remarked Lobi with a knowing grin. "We need to get you both to a taylor and a barber. Don't want people to think that we are completely out of touch just because we live on the coast."
After taking a drink Lobi asked, "Has Serqu given you your assignments yet? Two more on the warehouse would give us all fewer hours on duty. I'm off until tomorrow but it wouldn't look good for you to show up drunk your first day back."
"I sure wouldn't want to get on Iron Knuckles Serqu's bad side."
Looking at the other patrons, Haikon said "No, Serqu hasn't given us assignments yet. But you make a good point, we shouldn't get drunk tonight. Right, Karlo?" He winked.
"And hey, what's wrong with our clothes? And our hair?" He grumbled a bit, taking another swallow and looking at the crowd again. "Doesn't look so good on them, does it?" He proded Karlo with an elbow.
Karlo grunts sullenly into his beer. "Why would we change our clothes and hair? We'll get back to our own people eventually."
"Why should you change way they look? They certainly mark you as out of touch with the current fashion," said Lobi. "If you don't intend to fit in, I guess it doesn't matter," he added after Karlo's comment. He got a distressed look on his face as he thought about what they had said. "Since I've never heard of anyone that has gone through time, I'd not expect you to be able to go back."
Lobi's normally bubbly personality soon returned.
"True, I don't know all that is possible. But, I wouldn't let it stop me for getting on with my life. After all you still have family, like me, even if you don't know them."
"In fact things have gotten a lot better over the years. Now we have the Turning Wheel clan doing our transport for us. We have been selected to supply food for the Imperial forces and our villages stretch along most of the coast. Back in your time the White Stone clan was putting a lot of pressure on us and undercutting our markets."
"Not any more," he added emphatically.
Karlo drained his beer and looked mournfully into his mug.
"I'm still not sure I buy this time travel stuff. We were struck by lightening, next thing we know, we're here. I don't know how long we were out, but it sure wasn't 112 years. Maybe we lost our way and came to the wrong village. Maybe my family is dead, maybe they're waiting for me. I don't know what to think anymore."
With that he slid back on the dais, rose, and stormed out of the building.
Watching Karlo leave, Lobi showed a look of concern. "I think your friend isn't taking this experience well."
"You seem to be more accepting of your skein. Maybe you should go speak with him," he suggested.
With another swig from his mug he added, "We can always drink again later. Maybe then you will be free to drink more."
Karlo headed towards the place where is father's farm was.
As he walked along the beach the afternoon sun shown on the surf. It was still raging from the recent storm but not so much as to hide the shape of the stone. Karlo vaguely recognized the shore line though it had obviously been worn by the action of the waves over the years. There were many more houses than he remembered as well. Some though well maintained were showing their age. He remembered when they had been built, at least when the core of the now sprawling complexes were built.
Lines of glass buoys were sitting by boat houses waiting to be attached to ropes. Nets were hanging partially made with people mending and added to them. The fishing boats were being pulled to shore and crowds were gathering to unload the catch. Everywhere was the bustle of people.
The spaces between compounds were fewer and narrower than he remembered. Though there were some small areas of tilled land, it was obvious that most people made their livings from the sea or its related crafts. It looked that they made a good living from all the signs.
Haikon caught up to his friend, slowing down and walking beside him. He, too, eyed the village with some trepidation, ill at ease with its disturbing differences.
"This would all be easier if we were in some foreign land, among the Redhats, say," said the young man quietly. "Then we'd know we weren't home, and there wouldn't be any of this haunting familiarity."
He walked on, looking at the sunset longingly. "I think, maybe, we would be better off accepting what the elders tell us for now. They may not be the elders we knew, but they deserve respect in any case." He risked a glance at Karlo's face, but learned nothing.
The two walk on without speaking for a time. Then Haikon said "The gods are beyond us. Perhaps you and I are singled out for some task. Maybe we will be returned home when it is completed. But I think we have to hold our peace for now, and see what is required of us."
Then he clapped Karlo on the shoulder. "Come, be a good soldier. Let's go face what our new leader has to offer us, shall we? Perhaps we will guard a harem of concubines!" He smiled his young man's smile.
Karlo, stopped and turned to his friend.
"It's not that simple," he said. "Things like this don't happen. I keep thinking there must be an explanation. That I'll wake up and it was a dream. But I don't." He turned and looked out across the sea, hiding the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Of course I respect the elders. But to believe something like this? It borders on madness. And what of my family? Everyone I know is gone. I was to be married." The young man drew in a deep breath, and turned to face Haikon.
"Come. Let us go and hope to find forgetfulness in business."
Returning to the Hall of Military Preparedness they were once again greeted by the youth at the door. He bowed slightly and quickly opened the door for them. After the breeze of the shore, the stuffiness of the barracks was more noticeable. Since it was Sahpru (the middle of the spring rainy season) the humidity made it feel hotter then the cool eighties it was.
Asking an attendant at the entrance where to find Serqu, they were directed to the quieter rear of the building. The building was shaped like a long rectangle separated into three sections. It had a long open courtyard in the front, where individual training took place, with the troops rooms forming the sides. A small shrine to Karakan and Chegarra occupied the right front quarter. Its scarlet adding a splash of bright color. A waiting room was on the left. The back half of the building was divided into two sections. The left section for the supplies and servants. The right for the officer's quarters.
Most of the doors to the troops rooms were open. As they passed they saw people glancing their way. Each room contained bunks for four people. In the central area a couple of men were practicing with training weapons. Here and there were small clusters of men engaged in games of chance. Outside of each room were weapon racks containing the men's weapons. They saw their own room in the front and that it now contained fresh linens.
Entering the short hallway that divided the officer's rooms they were again greeted by an attendant. This man was well dressed and barred their path until they had stated their business. He checking the status the meshqu plaque outside of Serqu hi Enoinn's quarters. It was The Badge of Solemn Contemplation (green with red stripes, meaning come in / relax). Determining that visitors were welcome, he directed a nearby attendant to usher them to the door. The attendant rattled the door knocker and announced them to the servant that opened the door.
Serqu was reclined on several rugs laying over the bare wood floor. There were small short tables placed around and a lamp burning brightly on the wall above him. There were banners, painting, and weapons mounted on the walls. The rugs were large and stacked on top of each other. There were smaller rugs of excellent quality off to one side. He had been reading a book when they arrived and was sitting on the middle layer with several pillows behind him. He laid the book on a nearby table with several others and a stack of papers.
Serqu greeted them and bade the servant to bring them drinks. Motioning the men to join him, he indicated a nearby layer of lower rug for them to sit on. After some small talk on how they felt about being back, he broached the subject on his mind.
They were in a unique position. While their loyalty to the clan was without question, they were also unfettered by personal obligations. Serqu had a task that could only be done by such a person. If they were interested. If they wished to mix back into the normal clan life instead, that could be expected and was acceptable. He could always use more skilled soldiers.
Karlo took a polite sip from his drink.
"Sir, you are most generous to entrust a task to such as us. But I must ask, what reason do you have to trust us? We have been here but a short time, and are unproven. Forgive me, sir, but there certainly must be more than meets the eye."
Serqu indicated a small nearby table with aged papers and an old book. "The clan historians are very through and have recorded your previous service. Thumis worshipers are of some slight use after all," he stated with a grin and the disdain of a professional warrior.
Karlo indicated the documents, "May I?"
Haikon's face grew pale, and he stared with morbid fascination at the indicated volume.
With a twinkle in his eye Serqu carefully passed one of the documents to Karlo.
With a shaking hand, Karlo accepted the paper, as he scanned it, his face turned white, for it had been one of the proudest days in his life. He let the paper fall to the floor, and buried his face in his hands.
The document was ornate with colorful decorations embellishing the edges. The writing was in Tsolyani and Karlo had recognized his name in several places upon it. At the bottom was the place he had used his identity signet to stamp his sign onto the paper. Though he couldn't actually read the writing, having never been trained as a priest or administrator, he did remember making the mark. It had been a high point of his life. The document indicated that he had been excepted into the clan's border patrol. A preferred position for some, considered more dangerous then the normal guard duty by others.
After a moment he looked up, "Forgive me, sir. I am yours to command."
The servant quickly restored the dropped paper to its previous position. After glancing at Haikon to judge his reaction, Serqu said to Karlo, "I understand this must be difficult for you. I remember in the past returning to villages during war time and finding everyone I knew gone on the path to the Isles of Excellent Dead."
"You still have family. You still have the clan. You are young, and your destiny is before you."
With the sound of age and his own history in his voice he continued, "We must go on, we must follow the skein of destiny that has been woven for us."
"We are ready to do so, at your command sir." Haikon bowed appropriately for his station.